The mistress who remarried has returned.

"She also said that you're quite busy, sir, and told me not to reply to you so as not to disturb your work." Liu Shun was very unhappy about being rejected by Su Liangdi. He was thoroughly humiliated by her refusal. "What does she mean? What's she thinking? Why is she so eager to go to the Lin family to serve those four men? Isn't it obvious that she'll be bullied by her mother-in-law and harassed by her father-in-law, uncles, and other male relatives?"

Zhou Qiu's men finished their surveillance and returned to report back to Zhou Qiu.

Zhou Qiu looked at his subordinates, "Where has General Qin been?"

The subordinate replied in a serious tone, "General Qin went to relieve himself. He came back with Liu Shun after he finished."

"Was there anything special about it?"

The subordinate said, "The sound was too faint over the wall, and I was too far away to hear it. If I were any closer, I would have gone into the latrine and would definitely have been discovered..."

Zhou Qiu pursed his lips, glanced questioningly at his incompetent subordinate, and helplessly waved him aside to wait. It was clear his subordinate lacked the keen hearing. He had never had a genius subordinate with the exceptional hearing of someone who could hear through walls.

After washing his hands, Qin Huai walked to the front hall, returned to his seat, rinsed his hands in the warm water brought by a servant, then looked at Zhou Qiu and asked in a deep voice, "Is there anything I can do to help Empress Xiao?"

Zhou Qiu thought for a moment, "Consort Shu is virtuous. According to Consort Shu, Zhou Yu has committed a crime, so we cannot blame Empress Xiao. Empress Xiao's national mourning will be held in a grand manner in the next few days. At that time, we will indeed need Brother Qin's help and manpower."

Qin Huai remembered that Zhou Yuan was also by Consort Shu's side today, and Lin Enxiao was Consort Shu's personal bodyguard. He gradually connected the clues, "What illness did Empress Xiao have that made her suddenly pass away?"

"She's so worried about her son. She's constantly concerned about the Crown Prince's health, and without good news of his recovery, she's just tormented herself." Zhou Qiu paused, then continued, "Didn't you see Zhou Yuan's appearance today? She looked unhappy too. Unless good news of the Emperor's improvement comes out, I think things are going to be difficult for both mother and daughter... If anything happens to them, I'm afraid the Crown Prince will also..."

"Consort Shu is indeed virtuous." Qin Huai narrowed his eyes suddenly. "Last night, she sent someone to the Eastern Palace to fetch the Crown Prince's clothes for Empress Xiao to ease her longing for her son?"

"That's right," Zhou Qiu said slowly. "Empress Xiao is failing, so we need to inform the Crown Prince in advance."

Qin Huai fell silent, feeling as if a thorn was buried in his heart, piercing deeper and deeper with each heartbeat.

Just as Zhou Yu woke up last night, and just as the Crown Prince learned that Empress Xiao was about to pass away, this brought the joyous news that Empress Xiao's condition had improved.

Thinking of this, Qin Huai coldly threw the dry towel he was using to wipe his hands onto the table and stood up abruptly.

The towel landed on the table with a thud, and the water in Shen Shu's wine glass rippled from the impact. Why would the young master of a prominent family in the capital, who was most adept at managing his emotions, suddenly lose his composure and throw a towel?

Xue Wenying didn't understand why Qin Huai suddenly got angry. He had only eaten one bite of mutton; even if mutton was very "heaty," it shouldn't have caused her to get so angry so suddenly. She suddenly felt that she shouldn't have shared the mutton hot pot with him.

Zhou Qiu stared at Qin Huai like a wolf that had smelled blood. "What's wrong, Brother Qin?"

Qin Huai had no interest in dealing with Zhou Qiu, and simply nodded to Zhou Qiu, indicating, "I'll keep you company a little longer."

He then left the room immediately.

Although Liu Shun didn't know what had happened, he sensed something was amiss and decided to offer advice. He followed Qin Huai and said, "Master, whatever it is, please postpone it. There are many eyes and ears in the manor today, especially Zhou Qiu, who is eager to find fault with you. It's best not to act rashly. I just saw Zhou Qiu's eyes were gleaming. Besides, if Madam finds out you've lost your composure, she will be displeased."

Qin Huai naturally understood these principles, but once he got carried away, he truly couldn't control himself.

Xue Wenying asked, puzzled, "Rongzhi, where are you going? You're the host; isn't it inappropriate to leave a table full of guests here?"

Xue Wenying immediately followed, but she was slow and was left far behind by Qin Huai.

Shen Shu was stunned. What was going on? Why was Qin Huai leaving Zhou Qiu standing there like this? Who had offended him? Why was he giving Zhou Qiu such an opportunity to use his emotions against him? Was he dreaming, or had the usually composed Qin Huai gone mad?

Shen Shu immediately took over Qin Huai's role, entertaining Zhou Qiu to continue eating, drinking and enjoying himself. The key was that he was a general, and his polite words were not rich, fluent and full. He repeated the same two sentences over and over again, monotonous and pale: "Eat and drink well, eat and drink well, eat and drink well, Your Highness."

Zhou Qiu rubbed his hands together, not even caring about the extra "two" added to his name. What could be more interesting than Qin Huai losing his composure? He usually saw Qin Huai as humble and gentle; he had never seen him suddenly turn cold, throw things, and lose his composure.

For whom and for what reason did Qin Huai lose his composure? As human beings, we all have emotions and desires, and Qin Huai is no exception. Despite his usual nonchalant demeanor, there are bound to be flaws.

Qin Huai walked quickly toward the garden, his long, slender hands trembling uncontrollably. He had mistakenly thought that she was being forced by Su Yuanzhou to remarry into the Lin family, and that she was afraid, helpless, and needed his protection.

Liu Shun hurried after him, "General, General, where are we going? You must heed my advice. We should go back to the banquet for tea now. Impulsiveness could easily lead to a big mistake... What if Zhou Qiu finds out something and the Zhou family uses it as an excuse?"

Liu Shun frantically pulled at his hair. If the old lady knew that he couldn't persuade the eldest son and that the eldest son had caused trouble, she would surely beat him to death with her cane.

"The people from the Eastern Palace and the Consort Shu's people were having a secret rendezvous in the garden. Liu Shun, are we all dead?" Qin Huai said, flicking his sleeve at Liu Shun. "If the Zhou family investigates, it turns out the Qin family provided the venue for these two palaces to secretly conduct their affair?"

Liu Shun was startled by the general's flick of his sleeve. The general's tone of voice made Liu Shun suddenly feel like a maidservant accompanying his wife. He thought that when his wife caught her husband cheating, she probably looked just like the general, full of bitterness and resentment.

But what exactly is the general annoyed about?

But he tensed up instantly. He hadn't even thought of this. If Consort Su really was acting recklessly with the Second Prince's people, the general would definitely eliminate the threat. "General, perhaps it's not as serious as you say. She was just forced by her father to be sold to the Lin family."

"Do you think she's scared and seeking protection? She'd rather we all stay away from her." Qin Huai glanced at Liu Shun. "Someone openly provoked you in your yard, and you're pleading for them? Are you some kind of prime minister, with a belly that can hold a boat, huh?"